The Lovehoney Guide to Anal Beads

If you know any nurses or doctors, it’s likely you’ve heard some horror stories from the Emergency Room (ER) that have put you off inserting anything anally. However, instead of taking fear from these stories, take lessons. Only ever use toys specifically designed for anal play.

Courgettes? No. Water bottles? No. Lightbulbs? (Any Scrubs fans around?)

The key to safe anal sex toys is that they must have a flared base or loop to hold at the end. This stops them from travelling too far in and getting lost (this is one way anal play differs from vaginal penetration).

Save yourself the trouble of ending up at the ER and becoming a cautionary tale or folklore for new interns and invest in anal beads that allow for easy removal.

Despite all of its pleasure available to be explored, your butt is still well, a butt. You might like to make sure your anus is nice and clean before getting into any anal play. Some people are happy to stick to making sure they've used the toilet recently and washing the area with soapy water while others prefer using an anal douche about 45 minutes before playing.

If you’re wondering how to insert anal beads, don’t worry, it’s simple. But there are some tips we’d recommend before, during, and after use:

1. Use lube

Before you begin, lubricate the anal beads and your butt with a thick anal lubricant and position yourself comfortably. No need to be stingy on the lube here. The anus is not self-lubricating and anal beads are at their best when they move without friction so the slicker the sex toy, the better your experience.

2. Warm-up

You might find using anal beads more relaxing if you're already aroused, so you may want to tease yourself or engage in a bit of foreplay before getting down to it. If you're new to anal play (or even if you're not), you might like to use a lubed up finger to stroke outside and inside the anus to get used to the feeling.

3. Start pushing

Begin pushing just the first bead or two inside you and getting used to the sensation of gentle anal penetration. Remember, anal play should never hurt so if you're feeling any discomfort, slow down, breathe deeply and take your time to get used to the feeling.

4. Go for more

When you feel ready, insert more, using one hand to push the beads in and the other hand to keep your anus spread. You might like to take a 'two steps forward, one step back' approach to really relish in the unique penetration sensation.

5. Feel full

Once you reach the final bead (or as far as you'd like to go), you should be feeling full and satisfyingly stretched. If you haven't already started, it's time to get playing! Indulge in solo or partnered sex (oral, fingering, hand jobs and PIV penetration are all ideal here) and see where the multiple points of stimulation take you.

6. Slowly pull out

If you reach the point of orgasm, either during masturbation or sex, here's where the fun starts: SLOWLY pull the beads out and experience some unbelievably pleasurable sensations. You're welcome.

7. Be selfish with your beads

Your toy should be used by you only. If your partner wants to try anal beads too, that’s amazing. Just ensure you each buy your own set. Likewise, if you’re thinking of trying beads vaginally as well as anally, have two separate (and easy to differentiate) pairs.

The bacteria in you anus is there for a reason, and you don’t want to transfer it anywhere else. Which brings us to our next point...

8. Don't skip the clean up

Sexual aftercare is a must-do, not a ‘nice to do if you have time’ kind of deal. While it’s important to clean all sex toys after use, it’s especially important for those used anally. Warm water and an antibacterial soap or your favourite sexy toy cleaner are go-to's for proper cleaning of your anal beads. It’s not just the tools though, but the procedure.

A quick rinse isn’t enough. We encourage you to make a ritual out of the process. Spend at least 20 seconds carefully washing your beads, ensuring the entire surface and stem is carefully cleaned.

If you’re a first-timer, the best anal beads for beginners are probably a set of flexible beads that start small, with a very gradual increase so you can get used to the sensations slowly.

Try the Lovehoney Classic Beads or Fifty Shades of Grey Pleasure Intensified Silicone Anal Beads. The extra flexibility will allow you to stimulate various areas inside you until you find your hot zone!

If you want to add extra oomph to your anal play, try a set of vibrating anal beads like the Lovehoney Ignite Silicone Anal Beads or the ROMP Amp Silicone Anal Beads. Many people find that the vibrations create sensations similar to analingus or rimming.

For the more experienced anal bead buyer, you might like to experiment with different sizes, materials and intensities. The Lovehoney Beaded Sensual Glass Dildo is 7 inches of thick, weighty boroscillate glass and feels incredible lubed up, moving in and out of your booty. For fans of double penetration and anal beads, the Double Fun Beaded Vibrating Double Penetration Strap-On is an all-in-one winner for people with vulvas.